Do you believe him? Has Darnell Dozier really coached his final game at Princess Anne High School?
After the Cavaliers’ 51-42 loss to Forest Park in Tuesday’s Group AAA state semifinals, Dozier surprised reporters by saying “I’m job-searching.”
He said if Princess Anne had won a state title, he planned to stay. “If not,” Dozier said, “I’m out.”
Dozier has hinted about leaving before. He said as much after he guided the Cavaliers to the state championship in 2002. He could go out on top, Dozier said then.
His previous hints, though, were greeted with more amusement than anything. This time, he wasn’t smiling.
Dozier said he had two job offers. He wouldn’t name them. He wants to coach somewhere else in Virginia, preferably Northern Virginia, but he doesn’t want to inherit a losing program.
In the locker room after the game, Dozier said he told his team he probably was finished as Princess Anne’s coach.
“I’m shocked,” senior Tonya Clark said. “I kind of knew it was going to come, but I didn’t know it was going to be our class.”
If Dozier exits, he leaves Princess Anne with a career record of 325-35 over 13 seasons. His teams won two state championships and 10 Beach District regular-season crowns.
And he leaves a program that is widely regarded as one of the best in Virginia, one that this season featured 6-3 freshman Elizabeth Williams.
“I would hate to leave Elizabeth, because I love her to death,” Dozier said. “But sometimes it’s better to get a relocation.”
Added Dozier, “I think it’s time to go, I really do.”
- Jami Frankenberry
WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS DOZIER DONE? DO YOU AGREE WITH HOW HE HANDLED IT?
Subscribe to this blog
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Upload Your Video
iTunes Podcast
Video Feeds
Watch The Dot
Apology Accepted
Coach Dozier is up front with his girls at all times. Sometimes brutally. They know this. Unfortunately, he displayed some frustrations to the press/public after the loss to Forest Park the other night which I am sure he would like to take back. Since that time he has squared it with the people most important in this scenario, his girls on the team. We are all human and err. This situation gives coach another opportunity to share with/teach the girls on the team, especially the seniors before they move on, another life lesson. Thank you girls for all your efforts. You have brought more enjoyment into others peoples lives than you will ever know.